House Guest (with Alex Yin)

[Kenzi Grey]

Kenzi held Alex’s hand as the painkillers that the doctor had prescribed kicked in. The two girls shared some quiet conversation that finally lulled into the two of them just watching one another until Alex peacefully drifted off to sleep. Kenzi sat there holding her hand for another half hour before she finally reluctantly let her hand go and quietly backed out of the room.

As she pulled the door shut, Hannah walked up behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder. “How’s she doing?”

Kenzi shrugged, “Better…finally sleeping.”

Hannah handed Kenzi her phone, “Here, that psychopath that attacked her has been blowing up your Twitter while you were in there.

Kenzi snatched up her phone and narrowed her eyes as she saw Phage’s attempts to intimidate her. Though the woman was legitimately scary, Kenzi had no intention of being afraid or backed down by her or anyone else for that matter. She might not have inherited her mother’s natural wrestling ability, but she did have her quick wit and sharp tongue. She smiled gleefully as she pounded out a snappy response and sent it, whispering to herself under her breath, “Take that hoebag!”

Hannah frowned, “Are you sure you want to be doing that? I mean…that chick looks really scary…”

Kenzi looked at Hannah and then back at the closed door, behind which her friend lay convalescing. Kenzi sighed with a shake of her head, as she looked back at Hannah. “No…I don’t want to be doing any of this at all…but I have no choice in the matter! That masked faced piece of shit laid hands on my…my friend…and I won’t stand back and let that shit slide!” Despite the fear inside her, the anger she felt at Violet for abandoning her fueled and emboldened her. “I don’t walk out on my friends…EVER!” Kenzi walked past Hannah as she grabbed an apple from the table and bit into it, chewing as she added, “I thought that Jenn Drew was like me and Al…I thought she was about us being tight, but she showed her true fucking colors, just like Violet! She’s a fucking user and a goddamn coward! I’m glad DoA is over and DONE! One more failed venture for Vi and one bullet dodged for me!”

Hannah watched Kenzi with concern in her eyes. She hadn’t known the girl for very long, but she could clearly see that she was hurting inside. She walked over and sat down beside Kenzi. “You think that maybe you are being too hard on Vi? I mean…she was sick and now there’s a baby to think about. You know that stuff messes with your head.”

Kenzi glared at Hannah, “She has made it her mission in life to mess with people’s heads…that’s all she fucking does! FUCK HER!! After what she did?! I hope she dies in a fiery car crash into a truckload of AIDS victims!”

Hannah sighed, knowing that Kenzi was just venting. Perhaps, in time she would see that Violet was only doing what she had to do. Of course, the fact that she never bothered to face the girls she had brought together was pretty shitty, but shitty was par for the course with her. She decided to change the topic of discussion back to Phage. “Are you thinking that Oni will help with this…crazy chick that Jenn has with her?”

Kenzi shrugged, “I don’t even know. I think Oni might be pissed at me for blowing off our training sessions last week…but I was too pissed at Vi. I mean…how was I supposed to keep my focus on Gabby when I couldn’t even focus on my own life?” Kenzi picked up her phone and scrolled through her timeline and gave a sigh, “Looks like Oni has already gotten pretty fucking chummy with Phage anyway…”

Hannah looked at the messages between the two. “Well…you have to admit…they do seem to enjoy the same things.” Hannah shivered, “The fascination with blood is a little creepy…”

Kenzi rolled her eyes at the picture of Phage taking a ‘blood bath’ and rolled her eyes as she tossed the phone aside. “I’m hoping that Oni steps in…but…if she doesn’t, I get it…I flaked on her with the Gabby thing. If I’m on my own…I’ll find a way to deal, but no way in hell do I let that bitch run me down on Twitter…and no way in hell do I let her get away with what she did to Alex! She’ll apologize for what she did or she’ll spend the rest of her days in LAW looking over her fucking shoulder!”

Hannah stared at Kenzi, “You really are into this girl, aren’t you?”

Kenzi sighed, shaking her head. “I don’t know what I am. I mean…I care about her…more than I care about myself apparently! She’s a good person…a kind and sweet person, Han! She’d never hurt a fly! That drives me fucking crazy…but…it’s great…you know?” Kenzi sat back and stared up at the ceiling, “I don’t know what I feel…I mean…I don’t think I’m a lesbian…but Alex…she does and she says things…I…”

Hannah put her hand on Kenzi’s shoulder, “Hey! Don’t dwell on it…you’ll over think things. If you’re attracted to her and she’s attracted to you…nature will take its course and what happens, happens.”

Kenzi looked nervous as she wrung her hands. “My mother would kill me if she thought I was a lesbian…if that is even what this is! I mean…I’ve never been with anyone…EVER!” She looked around nervously, making sure that they were still alone. She whispered under her breath, “…what if I’m not…what if Alex is just a crush?”

Hannah, “And what if she’s not? How are you ever going to know?”

Kenzi sat there in silence, unsure of her feelings and steeped in utter confusion. Kenzi and Hannah spent the rest of the night talking to one another until the two of them eventually fell asleep on the couch together, exhausted from the long night of serious conversation. The two girls rested against one another, giving the distinct impression of togetherness…though, that was hardly the case, despite what Kenzi had led Alex to believe. When she awoke the next morning and found them, that no doubt reinforced her perception…

[alexyin]

Alex felt like her head was stuffed with cotton wool as she awoke from her sleep. Rolling her head over from the couch, she noticed a glass of water and a couple of asprin lying next to it and smiled. Kenzi being thoughtful, no doubt. Taking the pills with the water, she then rolled gently onto her belly and looked over at Kenzi sleeping, resting with Hannah.

Alex felt a pang of jealousy inside of her. She couldn't help but think that she should be the one cuddling with Kenzi. Closing her eyes for a moment, Alex tried to tsmper down her inner turmoil as she looked back at the sleeping couple.

Then a smile came across her lips.

Reaching across the table, Alex grabbed her phone before, gingerly, standing up. She barely changed before sleep, clad in a black tank top with turqouise panties (with bear faces on them...for some reason) and mis-matched toe-socks. Alex knelt down between her two slumbering friends and quietly snapped a picture of them, with her inbetween making a peace sign.

A moment later, the photo was about to be posted on Alex's social media account with a caption:

Christmas came early for me! Two naughty girls...and looks like I made them all tuckered out.

Alex considered whether or not to post the picture. On the one hand, she definitely liked to flirt and tease, even if it was an unexpected side to her. On the other hand, it did feel a little too invasive, especially given that they were doing Alex a solid. She meant no harm, but what if they didn't see the funny side?

Of course, as Alex pondered her moral quandry, she failed to notice one of her temporary roomies, waking up...

[Kenzi Grey]

Kenzi’s eyes fluttered open and she sat up as she saw Alex. For a moment, she didn’t know where she was or what was going on. Her concern for her friend was her very first thought. “Alex?! What are you doing up?! Why aren’t you resting?”

She sat forward, taking her head in her hands as she looked her in the eye, checking her over to make sure that she was okay. When she realized that Alex was feeling much better, she breathed a sigh of relief, but when she realized the situation that Alex had found her and Hannah in…looking like a couple, it gave her pause. Did she want to continue the lie that the two of them were a couple or did she want to tell Alex the truth…she completely torn over what she should do.

Sometimes when you didn’t know what action to take…taking no action was as good as any other. She smiled at her friend, “You look better! I’m glad that you…” She paused as her phone buzzed and she looked down at the screen just as Alex looked down, seeing a fresh batch of threats from Phage, not directed at her for stopping the attack.

Kenzi snatched up the phone and typed back a quick insult that was filled with more bravado than it should have had, then turned her phone off. “Don’t you worry about her…she is going to get what she has coming to her at LAW 40…I promise you THAT!”

[alexyin]

Alex looked back at Kenzi and after a moment of concern, she smiled.

Alex: Kenzi, you don't promise me that you're going to maim someone, okay? The thing I want from you right now is to be here. That's enough.

Alex looked at Kenzi for a few moments without a word being passed between them. They'd hardly said a word to eachother last night, but it felt so peaceful. She'd never felt that comfortable around someone before. Alex may have been rather daffy at times, but she had a better handle on the current situation than Kenzi. Whilst Alex was definitely taken, even smitten with Kenzi, she knew that Kenzi's attraction was more fierce. It was flattering to Alex that she could make someone feel so devoted but was also worried how Kenzi's obsession would affect others around her, this violent streak just didn't sit right.

Alex: I won't have you change the beautiful person you are, Kenzi.

The next thing Alex knew, her lips were on Kenzi's. Flashbacks to their kiss a couple of weeks ago hit her like a ton of bricks as she broke off her kiss and looked over at Hannah.

Alex: Do you think she'd be jealous? I think she'd be-

Alex wandered over to Hannah and pecked her on the cheek before she stumbled away and tripped over her own feet, crashing to the floor.

[Kenzi Grey]

“OH MY GOD! WHAT HAPPENED?!” Hannah was up in a flash and at Alex’s side as Kenzi sat there, still stunned and confused over what had just happened. Panic hit her like a slap in the face and she was over by Alex’s side a heartbeat later as Hannah tried to help Alex. Hannah looked at Kenzi, “What happened?”

Kenzi couldn’t answer, all she could do was help get Alex up as they moved her back to the bedroom and laid her down. Kenzi wrung her hands nervously as she watched Hannah check Alex over. Her voice cracked a little as she asked, “Is…is she okay?”

Hannah nodded, “Yeah…I think so.” She looked back over at Kenzi, “I’ll call the doctor…just to be sure. Just stay here with her while I get the number.”

As Hannah left, Kenzi sat by Alex’s bedside and took her hand in her own, holding it tightly. She stared at the girl’s face as she thought back to the words she had imparted, she didn’t want Kenzi seeking revenge against Phage for what had happened…she didn’t want Kenzi to change, but she was changing…in nearly every way possible. She bent down and kissed Alex on her lips softly.

“The doctor said to just keep an eye on her and to keep the excitement to a…” Hannah paused in the doorway as she saw Kenzi kissing Alex. She folded her arms as she finished her sentence, “…minimum!”

Kenzi sat back, blushing for a moment, then standing up after gently laying the sleeping girl’s hand back down. She walked over to the chair and plopped down in it, watching Alex from a distance. “I’m confused Han…I don’t know what I want anymore…”

Hannah walked over and stared down at her. “It looks like you know what you want to me.” She glanced over at Alex, “I don’t see what the problem is.”

Kenzi sighed as she grabbed a spare blanket and wrapped it around herself. That ‘was’ the problem…Alex was the one who didn’t see it. Oni saw it…Alex saw it…and Kenzi saw it. She was changing…she was becoming a different person, someone vastly different from the girl she was several months prior. Her innocence had been chipped away…bit by bit…and now when she looked in the mirror she hardly recognized the face staring back at her. It didn’t scare her…it excited her…it freed her. Her infatuation with Alex…that was the last piece of her old self that remained…the one thing that kept her from the complete transformation that her friends felt were necessary for her to finally be successful.

All she wanted to do was to prove her mother wrong…to show her that she could be great in her own right. It had been all that mattered…up until Alex showed up…turning everything upside down. Now, her feelings had her torn between pursuing real success…or love….if that is what this really was.

She felt Hannah’s hand on her shoulder and she covered it with her own as she lay her head back in quiet contemplation. Was the choice as simple as Alex or her career…or could there be a balance? Could she be the person that Alex thought she still was…while still chasing her own dreams? Either way…there was going to be more pain and hurt before this was over and done…

Alex might not have wanted Kenzi to seek revenge for what had happened to her…but that was out of her hands. Whether she gave into her feelings for Alex or not…Phage was going to be dealt with for laying hands on Alex. No matter how scary the woman was…there was ZERO confusion on this point…there were some lines that should never be crossed.

[alexyin]

A short time later, Alex was up again and feasting on ice cream. Hannah and Kenzi stood over her in concern as Alex looked back at them in a soft, understanding way.

Alex: Sorry if I scared ya. Sometimes I don't know where my feet are going and...splat! All those gymnastic medals and trophies but I can't handle putting one foot in front of another.

Alex laughs a little before she puts the spoon down and lowers her gaze.

Alex: Also...I, uh, have a confession. Hannah, I'm sorry. I...kissed...Kenzi. I don't know why. Holiday spirit, maybe my brain's still a little rattled but...my emotions got the better of me. That's why I pecked you on the cheek while you were asleep. Trying to pass it of as...

Alex then exhales.

Alex: Anyway, I understand if you don't want me around after putting the moves on your girlfriend. Your totally devoted girlfriend. I'm...sorry.

[Kenzi Grey]

Hannah looked at Kenzi, unsure of how to respond. “I…I…” Hannah had played her part well when they first began to pretend to be a couple just to stick it to Alex over the Aiden situation, but now things had changed. Hannah stared at Kenzi and she could tell that she was also caught off guard and unsure how to respond. If they fessed up to the lie, would that damage things between the friends? If they continued with the rouse, would that lead them down a path that neither of them wanted to go? Hannah didn’t want to be the one to make the call, this was Kenzi’s game. She whirled on Kenzi, “Ken?!”

Kenzi was in an absolute panic as she tried to weigh her options. On one hand, if she continued the lie, she would have an invisible buffer between them to give her time and space to figure things out. The problem being, how long would Alex wait…if at all? If she told the truth…the way between them would be wide open and there would be nothing to keep them apart. The thought of that thrilled her…and it terrified her at the same time. She broke out into a cold sweat as she tried to decide which way to go…what to say.

Hannah was also panicking, “Kenzi?”

Kenzi finally broke her silence, the words tumbling out of her mouth like broken teeth, “I’m sorry Hannah…it just happened…I…I don’t know what else to say.”

Hannah sat there for a moment as she realized which way they were going to go with this. She stood up, looking from Kenzi to Alex and finally back again. “Well…I guess this is…something…a problem…or whatever, huh?” Hannah wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do, but leaving seemed like a good idea. She got up and headed to the door and Kenzi ran over and grabbed her arm. Hannah, finding herself deep within her role now, instinctively spun around and punched Kenzi, sending her crumbling to the floor, completely unconscious.

Hannah fell to the floor beside Kenzi in an absolute panic. “OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!!! I DIDN’T MEAN IT!! OH MY GOD!!”